“Pause here a moment,” he said to Yermah, after a hearty greeting. “One of the grandest symbols in nature stretches out before thee. Primordial substance is always represented by water flowing out of naught, or nothing.”
He pointed toward the wide Pacific and looked at Yermah with a rapt expression. “As it flows, it gradually solidifies into mind, just as the earth was molten and then became solid.”
Yermah stood inhaling the stiffening sea-breeze, and watching the waves cresting shoreward in ceaseless motion.
“These waves scudding before the wind are exactly like our thoughts driven to a given point by force of will. It is to give further instruction on this matter of a fully controlled will that I have asked thee to give me attention to-day,” continued the old man, as he led the way into the cavern.
There were swinging lamps, and a wide, open fireplace, so constructed that the smoke was emitted through a pointed-arch opening. With the charcoal fire and the swinging lamps, the interior was made quite comfortable. The stalactites, white and frosted, or discolored here and there from natural causes, made the walls and ceilings beautiful. Where an opening suggested partition, blankets, rugs and tapestries had been hung, and over the sanded floor were rush and grass mats in profusion.
Around to the north, where the rocks still stand, the seals barked and roared as they do now, while the same species of birds came and went.
An ingeniously arranged partial closing of heavy boards screened the occupants from the wind, but did not exclude the sunlight and fresh air.
“This eight-spoked wheel represents the life of an initiate,” said Akaza.
A round inlaid ivory wheel, supported by a porcelain tripod, was indicated. On its outer edge were the signs of the zodiac, chased in black, with a mother-of-pearl inlaying to indicate the spokes. A rough-edged parchment lay in the center, and Yermah’s quick eye saw that it was an orrery question, pertaining to Atlantis, drawn in colors.
“We are not to examine the horoscope at present,” explained Akaza, following Yermah’s gaze. “I brought thee in here to make sure of fire and the needs of the inner man. Now that they are secure, we shall devote the morning to the beach.”